Measurement and Modeling of Nitrate-Nitrogen Transport in Subsurface Bioreactors

A field-scale bioreactor (6.1 m by 6.1 m) installed by researchers in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was selected for this study. The nitrate-N concentrations of the bioreactor were monitored in 16 monitoring wells installed at 1.5 m intervals and 0.76 m from each corner. A Finite Element Method routine was used for transient, two-dimensional groundwater flow, and the Random Walk Method was used for two-dimensional nitrate-N transport. The storage coefficient, the dispersivity and the first-order decay coefficient were estimated as 0.18 cm-1, 0.86, 16.7 cm, and 0.2 hr-1, respectively through a nonlinear regression approach. The results of this study will lead to a better understanding of nitrate-N transport through bioreactors, and consequently, the development of design standards and operating protocols for field-scale systems.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Agricultural Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Chun, Jong Ahn

Contributors dc:contributor

• Cooke, Richard A.

• Engineering, Agricultural

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3301117

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/86071